John Patterson says he has seen Colleton River Plantation Club from every angle.

The Bluffton amateur saw it from the perspective of tournament champion Sunday, as he won the 39th Hilton Head Open on the club’s Nicklaus Course by two shots over David Rogers.

Patterson, a former Colleton River assistant professional and club member, finished at 14-under par overall to win the tournament for the first time. He followed Saturday’s impressive 10-under 62 with a 68 that was good enough to hold off Rogers on Sunday.

“I know a lot of faces, a lot of friends I’ve made over here, so it’s fun for a little homecoming,” Patterson said.

Taking a three-shot lead into the final round, Patterson didn’t need to do too much to bring home the title. He led by as many as five shots and stayed in control despite a flurry of late birdies from Rogers, who at 12 under was the low professional.

Rogers, an assistant pro at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, birdied his final three holes to card a 7-under 65. But he didn’t get closer than three shots down until the 18th hole, when Patterson played it safe for a par and Rogers made a short putt for birdie.

Luke McClellan, who started the day in second at 7 under, joined Patterson and Rogers in the final group. The former University of South Carolina Beaufort assistant and current Hilton Head Lakes apprentice shot 71 to finish six strokes back.

“I’m happy with the way I played,” Rogers said. “To shoot 12 under, that usually wins (this tournament).”

It wasn’t enough against Patterson, the marketing and sales director at Chechessee Creek Club who made the round of 16 at last year’s U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

Patterson, 44, said he started working at Colleton River in 1993 when he was fresh out of Michigan’s Ferris State University. The Cincinnati native was an assistant pro at the club until 1998, when he started playing golf full-time.

Colleton River members sponsored Patterson as the club’s touring pro for two years, easing his financial burden as he played on the former Buy.com and Canadian tours. When he returned to Beaufort County to work in real estate, Patterson said, he was a regular Colleton River member.

“In some way, shape or form, whether it was working here, playing out of here when I was playing full-time, or being a member here, I’ve seen it from every facet,” Patterson said. “I love coming back. It’s a comfortable place for me to be.”

Patterson said the Nicklaus Course hasn’t changed much since he worked at Colleton River, though he noticed a new house near the 15th tee that wasn’t there the last time he played the course in 2012.

Birdies on Nos. 3, 5, 7, 14 and 17 offset his only bogey of the tournament on No. 6.

Patterson said he didn’t leave himself as many short putts as he did Saturday, but he continued the stellar play that helped him win the South Carolina Open at Belfair Plantation on July 25.

“Those rounds are always hard to follow up,” Patterson said, “but I stayed in my routine all day and tried not to worry too much about what David and Luke were doing.”

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